IKKO一洸 (Watanabe Kazuhiro 渡邉一弘) – 常滑 - 31.3cm rectangle Green Crystal Oribe Glaze.

IKKO (Kazuhiro Watanabe)  Tokoname 31.3cm rectangle Green Crystal Oribe Glaze.

Product Details: 

Region: Tokoname, Aichi Prefecture (常滑市)
Kiln: IKKO Kiln (一洸窯 – Ikko-gama)
Artist: Second-generation IKKO 二代目 一洸 (Watanabe Kazuhiro 渡邉一弘)

A medium, rounded corners, slight internal rim, cut feet. Green Oribe crystal glaze, Seal of IKKO underneath.
This pot has been used for a long time, hence the significant patina. The glaze is a transparent green called 'Oribe' with small crystals that have a black edge.
Where thick, such as at the bottom edge, the glaze is a turquoise blue.
This is mostly covered with patina.

 Seal-stamped by IKKO 壹興, 渡邉一弘

External dimensions:
31.3 x 23.0 x 6.5cm (12⅜ x 9 x 2½in)
Internal dimensions:
28.2 x 20.0 x 4.6cm (11⅛ x 7⅞ x 1¾in)

Condition: Good for the age, there are some very minor chips at the bottom edge of one foot, there is a 5-10mm dark mark on one long side, which is likely a paint splash or similar. I have left it as it blends into the patina. This could be removed carefully.

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Information about IKKO

IKKO (Katsuhiro Watanabe, 一洸 渡辺勝洋)

Contemporary Japanese Bonsai Ceramic Artist

Ikko, the professional art name (gō, 号) of Katsuhiro Watanabe (渡辺勝洋), is a contemporary Japanese bonsai ceramicist based in Tokoname, Aichi Prefecture—one of Japan’s Six Ancient Kilns (Rokkoyō) and a center of traditional pottery production. He is widely recognised for his contributions to modern bonsai ceramics through the production of finely crafted, small to medium-sized bonsai pots that emphasise aesthetic refinement, functional balance, and continuity of traditional Japanese pottery techniques.

Background and Lineage:

Ikko was born into a family of distinguished potters. He is the son of Watanabe Shōzan (渡辺松山, real name Watanabe Shōzō 渡辺正三), a respected mid- to late-20th-century bonsai potter known for his unglazed works and mastery of classical forms. Under his father's tutelage, Ikko inherited both technical proficiency and a deep understanding of the visual and philosophical principles underlying bonsai pottery.

Artistic Style:

Ikko’s work is characterised by its clean, elegant lines, precise form, and a restrained yet expressive approach to both glazed and unglazed finishes. His glazed pieces exhibit a sophisticated palette, often with soft blues, greens, and creams, while his unglazed works draw on Tokoname’s iron-rich clays and traditional firing methods to achieve subtle textures and warmth. His aesthetic sensibility is particularly attuned to the integration of pot and tree, a central concern in bonsai culture, where the container must both support and enhance the natural beauty of the plant.

Materials and Techniques:

Working primarily with Tokoname clay, Ikko employs traditional hand-building and slab construction techniques, and is known for his meticulous attention to wall thickness, foot shaping, and rim detail—features that are highly valued by bonsai practitioners for their visual and functional qualities. He frequently signs his work with the characters 一洸 (Ikko), either incised or stamped, and may include a seal identifying his workshop or lineage.

Legacy and Reception:

Ikko is regarded as one of the foremost living bonsai potters in Japan today. His works are highly sought after in both domestic and international bonsai communities, and are considered among the finest contemporary examples of bonsai ceramic art. Collectors prize his pots not only for their craftsmanship but also for their capacity to harmonize with a wide variety of bonsai species and styles.

Through his practice, Ikko represents a continuation of the Watanabe family's ceramic legacy, while simultaneously advancing the field with his individual artistic vision and technical excellence.